List of comparative firefighting ranks

Last updated

Fire department ranking systems derive from the military, with different systems existing in different parts of the world as a reflection of that region's military.

Contents

Rank in the fire service is an important element of its structure due to the battle-like conditions found on emergency incidents. Positions of authority need to be clearly defined, as do the type and number of subordinates under a rank, and the ability to manage the number of personnel on an incident or emergency scene.

Australia

New South Wales

Fire and Rescue New South Wales [1]
RankCommissionerDeputy CommissionerAssistant CommissionerChief SuperintendentSuperintendentInspectorLeading Station OfficerStation OfficerLeading FirefighterSenior Firefighter
15 years service
Senior FirefighterQualified FirefighterFirefighter Level 2

(Probationary)

Firefighter Level 1

(Probationary)

Recruit
InsigniaNo Epaulettes

(Number 2 displayed on sides of helmet)

No Epaulettes

(Number 1 displayed on sides of helmet)

Fire and Rescue New South Wales Retained firefighters
RankRetained CaptainRetained Deputy CaptainRetained Firefighter
15 years service
Retained Firefighter
10 years service
Retained Firefighter
5 years service
Retained FirefighterRecruit
InsigniaNo InsigniaBoth Recruit and Student epaulettes used
New South Wales Rural Fire Service
Operational rankMembership typeInsignia
CommissionerNSW government senior executive service officer
Deputy commissionerNSW government senior executive service officer
Assistant commissionerNSW government senior executive service officer
Chief superintendentNSW government public service officer
SuperintendentNSW government public service officer
InspectorNSW government public service officer
Group captainVolunteer
Deputy group captainVolunteer
Assistant group captainVolunteer
CaptainVolunteer
Senior deputy captainVolunteer
Deputy captainVolunteer
Support fire fighter (no qualifications)Volunteer

Victoria

Victoria Country Fire Authority
Administrative ranks for volunteer firefightersHelmet insigniaEpauletteHardboard
Group officer CFA-GO-HELMET.png
CFA-GO-Epaulette.png
N/A
Deputy group officer CFA-DGO-HELMET.png
CFA-DGO-Epaulette.png
N/A
Operational ranks for volunteer firefightersHelmet insigniaEpauletteHardboard
Captain CFA-CAPTAIN-HELMET.png
CFA-Captain-Epaulette.png
CFA-CAPTAIN-HARDBOARD.png
1st lieutenant CFA-LIEUTENANT-HELMET.png
CFA-Lieutenant-Epaulette.png
CFA-LIEUTENANT-HARDBOARD.png
2nd to 5th lieutenant CFA-LIEUTENANT-HELMET.png
CFA-Lieutenant-Epaulette.png
N/A
Firefighter CFA-FIREFIGHTER-HELMET.png
N/A
N/A

Western Australia

Department of Fire and Emergency Services
Executive and Managers
TitleCommissionerDeputy CommissionerAssistant CommissionerChief SuperintendentSuperintendentDistrict Officer
Urban & Rural Fire
District Officer
Natural Hazards
Area OfficersCommunity Emergency
Services Manager
Rank insignia FESCOM.jpg Deputy FESCOM Rank Slide.jpg Assistant Commissioner Rank Slide.jpg Chief Superintendent Rank Slide.jpg Superintendent Rank Slide.jpg Fire Service DO Rank Slide.jpg Natural Hazard District Officer Rank Slide.jpg AO Rank Slide.jpg Community Emergency Service Manager.jpg
Professional Firefighters
TitleStation OfficerLeading FirefighterSenior Firefighter
Fifteen years service
Senior FirefighterFirefighter
1st & 2nd class
Firefighter
3rd, 4th & 5th class
Firefighter Trainee
Rank insignia Station Officer.jpg Leading Fire Fighter.jpg SFF15.jpg Senior Fire Fighter.jpg Fire Fighter 1st and 2nd.jpg Fire Fighter Rank Slide.jpg Trainee Fire Fighter.jpg
Volunteer FirefightersVolunteer Administrator
TitleCaptainLieutenantApparatus OfficerLeading FirefighterSenior FirefighterQualified FirefighterFirefighterVolunteer Secretary
Rank insignia VFRS Captain Epaulette.png VFRS Lieutenant Epaulette.png VFRS Apparatus Officer Epaulette.png VFRS Leading Firefighter Epaulette.png VFRS Senior Firefighter Epaulette.png VFRS Qualified Firefighter Epaulette.png VFRS Firefighter Epaulette.png VFRS Secretary Epaulette.png

Austria

Salzburg

Volunteer fire departments
Higher ranksAdministrative ranks
TitleLandesbranddirektor (LBD)Landesbranddirektor-Stv. (LBD-Stv.)Oberbrandrat (OBR)Brandrat (BR)Hauptverwalter (HV)Oberverwalter (OV)Verwalter (V)
Rank insignia Dgrd lbd.noe.svg Dgrd lbdstv.noe.svg Dgrd obr.noe.svg Dgrd br2.noe.svg Dienstgrad Verwalter (V) in Tirol, Hauptverwalter (HV) in Karnten und Salzburg.svg Dienstgrad Verwalter (V) in Tirol, Oberverwalter (OV) in Karnten und Salzburg.svg Dienstgrad Verwalter (V) in Karnten und Salzburg.svg
Leading ranks
TitleAbteilungsbrandinspektor (ABI)Hauptbrandinspektor (HBI)Oberbrandinspektor (OBI)Brandinspektor (BI)Hauptbrandmeister (HBM)Oberbrandmeister (OBM)Brandmeister (BM)
Rank insignia Dgrd abi.noe.svg Dgrd hbi.noe.svg Dgrd obi.noe.svg Dgrd bi.noe.svg Dgrd hbm.noe.svg Dgrd obm.noe.svg Dgrd bm.noe.svg
Sub-officers/crew commandersFirefighters and leading firefighters
TitleHauptlöschmeister (HLM)Oberlöschmeister (OLM)Löschmeister (LM)Löschmeister (LM)
18 years as firefighter
Hauptfeuerwehrmann (HFM)Oberfeuerwehrmann (OFM)Feuerwehrmann (FM)Probefeuerwehrmann (PFM)
Rank insignia Dgrd hlm.noe.svg Dgrd olm.noe.svg Dgrd lm.noe.svg Dgrd lm.noe.svg Dgrd hfm.noe.svg Dgrd ofm.noe.svg Dgrd fm.noe.svg Dgrd pfm.noe.svg

Belgium

New rank structure as of 2015: [2]

Officers (higher cadre)NCOs (middle cadre)Enlisted (basic cadre)
Insignia Brandweerkolonel.jpg Majoor.jpg Kapitein.jpg Luitenant.jpg Adjudant.jpg Sergeantbrandweer.jpg Korporaal.jpg Brandweerman.jpg
FrenchColonelMajorCapitaineLieutenantAdjudantSergentCaporalSapeur-pompier
DutchKolonelMajoorKapiteinLuitenantAdjudantSergeantKorporaalBrandweerman

Obsolete ranks:

Officers (higher cadre)NCOs (middle cadre)
Insignia Luitenant-kolonel.jpg Kapitein-commandant.jpg Onder-luitenant.jpg Opperadjudant.jpg Sergeant-majoor.jpg 1sergeant.jpg
FrenchLieutenant-colonelCapitaine-commandantSous-lieutenantAdjudant-chefSergent-majorPremier Sergent
DutchLuitenant-KolonelKapitein-CommandantOnder-luitenantOpperadjudantSergeant-majoorEerste sergeant

Brazil

Officers
Rank groupGeneral / flag officersSenior officersJunior officers
Flag of Brazil.svg Military Firefighters Corps
Insignia Cel Bombeiro.png Insignia Ten-cel Bombeiro.png Insignia Maj Bombeiro.png Insignia Cap Bombeiro.png Insignia 1 Ten Bombeiro.png Insignia 2 Ten Bombeiro.png
Coronel Tenente-coronel Major Capitão Primeiro tenente Segundo tenente
NCO and enlisted grades
Rank groupSenior NCOsJunior NCOsEnlisted
Flag of Brazil.svg Military Firefighters Corps
Insignia PM O8.PNG G05-CBM Primeiro Sargento.svg G04-CBM Segundo Sargento.svg G03-CBM Terceiro Sargento.svg G02-CBM Cabo.svg G01-CBM Soldado.svg G00-CBM Soldado segunda classe.svg
SubtenentePrimeiro-sargentoSegundo-sargentoTerceiro-sargentoCaboBombeiro primeira classeBombeiro segunda classe

Canada

A chief and platoon chief coordinate activities on site of a house fire in Vaughan, Ontario Vaughan Fire officials commanding an incident.jpg
A chief and platoon chief coordinate activities on site of a house fire in Vaughan, Ontario

Ranking categories and insignia in the Canadian fire service is common across the country, with minor variations, often based on department size. Virtually every fire department in Canada has at least a fire chief, and usually captains.

Rank insignia is worn either on the collar, (colloquially called "collar dogs" or "collar brass"), or on epaulets, and in some cases, both. Also badges, which also denote rank, are worn in some regions.

Badge, stripe and trumpet colours are a further denotation, silver being non-Chief ranks, gold reserved for Chiefs.

Like the United States, Canada uses speaking trumpets for rank indication - a reference to a megaphone-like device used in the early days of the fire service, for officer ranks. Typically, silver trumpets indicate lieutenant (1 trumpet) or captain (2 trumpets), and gold indicates Chief officer ranks, ranging 2 trumpets (Battalion or District Chief) up to 5 trumpets (Fire Chief).

Due to close ties and histories with Britain, there are also considerable ranking similarities to the United Kingdom, including the use of rank insignia on uniform epaulets.

Toronto

RankFire chiefDeputy fire chiefDivision commanderPlatoon chiefDistrict chiefCaptainFirst class firefighterSecond class firefighterProbationary firefighter
Insignia Toronto Fire - Fire Chief.png Toronto Fire - Deputy Fire Chief.png Toronto Fire - Division Commander.png Toronto Fire - Platoon Chief.png Toronto Fire - District Chief.png Toronto Fire - Captain.png NoneNoneNone

Montreal

RankInsignia
Firefighter/firefighter instructorno insignia
Interim lieutenant1 silver stripe
Lieutenant/lieutenant instructor2 silver stripes
Captain3 silver stripes
Operations chief1 thick yellow stripe
Division chief1 thick and 1 thin yellow stripe
Assistant chief1 thick and 2 thin yellow stripes
Deputy chief1 thick and 3 thin yellow stripes
Fire chief1 thick and 4 thin yellow stripes plus star

Vancouver

Fire chiefDeputy fire chiefAssistant chiefBattalion chiefTraining officerCaptainLieutenantFirefighterProbationary firefighter
Rank epaulettes VFRS Fire Chief.png VFRS Deputy Fire Chief.png VFRS Assistant Chief.png VFRS Battalion Chief.png VFRS Training Officer.png VFRS Captain.png VFRS Lieutenant.png No insigniaNo insignia
Rank pins FIRE BUGLES - 5.1 (GOLD).png FIRE BUGLES - 4.3 (GOLD).png FIRE BUGLES - 3.1 (GOLD).png FIRE BUGLES - 2.4 (GOLD).png FIRE BUGLES - 3.2 (SILVER).png FIRE BUGLES - 2.4 (SILVER).png FIRE BUGLES - 1 (SILVER).png No insigniaNo insignia


Colombia

Fire Officers rank insignia of Colombia Oficial snbc.png
Fire Officers rank insignia of Colombia
Fire Fighters rank insignia of Colombia Suboficial snbc.png
Fire Fighters rank insignia of Colombia

Chile

Ranks are divided between company officers and fire department officers, which can be subdivided between active officers (field officers) and administrative officers. The active officers are the captain, and three or four lieutenants, these four active officers are distinguished by red lines on their helmets.

China

CommissionerDeputy commissionerAssistant commissionerCommandersBattalion chiefs
CHINA FIRE AND RESCUE badge (2018).svg Zhong Hua Ren Min Gong He Guo Xiao Fang Jiu Yuan Xian Jian Zhang Zong Jian .jpg Zhong Hua Ren Min Gong He Guo Xiao Fang Jiu Yuan Xian Jian Zhang Fu Zong Jian .jpg Zhong Hua Ren Min Gong He Guo Xiao Fang Jiu Yuan Xian Jian Zhang Zhu Li Zong Jian .jpg Zhong Hua Ren Min Gong He Guo Xiao Fang Jiu Yuan Xian Jian Zhang Gao Ji Zhi Hui Chang .svg Zhong Hua Ren Min Gong He Guo Xiao Fang Jiu Yuan Xian Jian Zhang Yi Ji Zhi Hui Chang .svg Zhong Hua Ren Min Gong He Guo Xiao Fang Jiu Yuan Xian Jian Zhang Er Ji Zhi Hui Chang .svg Zhong Hua Ren Min Gong He Guo Xiao Fang Jiu Yuan Xian Jian Zhang San Ji Zhi Hui Chang .svg Zhong Hua Ren Min Gong He Guo Xiao Fang Jiu Yuan Xian Jian Zhang Yi Ji Zhi Hui Yuan .svg Zhong Hua Ren Min Gong He Guo Xiao Fang Jiu Yuan Xian Jian Zhang Er Ji Zhi Hui Yuan .svg Zhong Hua Ren Min Gong He Guo Xiao Fang Jiu Yuan Xian Jian Zhang San Ji Zhi Hui Yuan .svg Zhong Hua Ren Min Gong He Guo Xiao Fang Jiu Yuan Xian Jian Zhang Si Ji Zhi Hui Yuan .svg
Director generalDeputy
director general
Assistant
director general
Senior commanderCommander ICommander IICommander IIIBattalion chief IBattalion chief IIBattalion chief IIIBattalion chief IV
Senior firefightersIntermediate firefightersJunior firefighters
CHINA FIRE AND RESCUE badge (2018).svg Zhong Hua Ren Min Gong He Guo Xiao Fang Jiu Yuan Xian Jian Zhang Yi Ji Xiao Fang Chang .svg Zhong Hua Ren Min Gong He Guo Xiao Fang Jiu Yuan Xian Jian Zhang Er Ji Xiao Fang Chang .svg Zhong Hua Ren Min Gong He Guo Xiao Fang Jiu Yuan Xian Jian Zhang San Ji Xiao Fang Chang .svg Zhong Hua Ren Min Gong He Guo Xiao Fang Jiu Yuan Xian Jian Zhang Yi Ji Xiao Fang Shi .svg Zhong Hua Ren Min Gong He Guo Xiao Fang Jiu Yuan Xian Jian Zhang Er Ji Xiao Fang Shi .svg Zhong Hua Ren Min Gong He Guo Xiao Fang Jiu Yuan Xian Jian Zhang San Ji Xiao Fang Shi .svg Zhong Hua Ren Min Gong He Guo Xiao Fang Jiu Yuan Xian Jian Zhang Si Ji Xiao Fang Shi .svg Zhong Hua Ren Min Gong He Guo Xiao Fang Jiu Yuan Xian Jian Zhang Yu Bei Xiao Fang Shi .svg
Captain ICaptain IICaptain IIIFirefighter IFirefighter IIFirefighter IIIFirefighter IVProbationary
firefighter

Czech Republic

ZnakHZS.jpg Insignia Generalporucik HZS CR.png Generalmajor HZS CR.png Brigadni general HZS CR.png Plukovnik HZS CR.png Podplukovnik HZS CR.png Major HZS CR.png Kapitan HZS CR.png Nadporucik HZS CR.png Porucik HZS CR.png Podporucik HZS CR.png Nadpraporcik HZS CR.png Praporcik HZS CR.png Podpraporcik HZS CR.png Nadstrazmistr HZS CR.png Strazmistr HZS CR.png Rotny HZS CR.png
TitleGenerál-
poručík
Generál-
major
Brigádní generálPlukovníkPodplukovníkMajorKapitánNadporučíkPoručíkPodporučíkNadpraporčíkPraporčíkPodpraporčíkNadstrážmistrStrážmistrRotný

Cyprus

RankChief Fire OfficerDeputy Chief
Fire Officer
Assistant Chief
Fire Officer
Station
Manager
Watch
Manager
Crew
Manager
Insignia
Chief Fire Officer (Cyprus Fire Service).png
Deputy Chief Fire Officer (Cyprus Fire Service).png
Assistant Chief Fire Officer (Cyprus Fire Service).png
Station Manager (Cyprus Fire Service).png
Watch Manager (Cyprus Fire Service).png
Crew Manager (Cyprus Fire Service).png
Blank.svg

Denmark

Rank epaulettes [3]
Denmark-Firefighter-Direktor.svg
Denmark-Firefighter-Vicedirektor.svg
Denmark-Firefighter-Afdelingschef.svg
Denmark-Firefighter-Omradeleder.svg
Denmark-Firefighter-Beredskabsinspektor.svg
Denmark-Firefighter-Viceberedskabsinspektor.svg
Denmark-Firefighter-Beredskabsmester.svg
Denmark-Firefighter-Viceberedskabsmester.svg
Denmark-Firefighter-Deltidsholder m. instruktor.svg
Denmark-Firefighter-Deltidsholder.svg
Denmark-Firefighter-Beredskabsassistent.svg
TitleDirektørVicedirektørAfdelingschefOmrådelederBeredskabsinspektørViceberedskabsinspektørBeredskabsmesterViceberedskabsmesterDeltidsholdleder m. instruktørDeltidsholdlederBeredskabsassistent
Direct translation of Danish ranksEmergency director/
Emergency chief
Deputy emergency director/
Deputy emergency chief
Department chief/
Area chief
Area managerFire inspectorDeputy fire inspector/
Station master
Emergency master/
Fire master
Deputy emergency master/
Deputy fire master
Part-time team leader with instructor skillsPart-time team leaderFire assistant/
Emergency assistant
Equivalent in London Fire Brigade CommissionerDeputy commissionerAssistant commissionerDeputy assistant commissionerGroup managerStation managerStation officerSub-officerNo equivalentNo equivalentFirefighter

France

Civilian fire fighters

Civilian fire services uses the following ranks. The chief fire officer of a departemental fire brigade can be a comptroller general, a colonel senior class or a colonel, depending on the size of the brigade.

Ministry of InteriorCivilian professional firefighters class A+Civilian professional firefighters class ACivilian professional firefighters class B
Insigne de poitrine des sapeurs-pompiers de France.jpg DGSCGC.png DGSP.png SDIS CGL1.png SDIS CGL.png SP-COL.png SP-LCL.png SP-CEN.png SP-CNE.png SP-LTN.png
Directeur Général de la sécurité civile et de la gestion des crisesDirecteur des sapeurs-pompiers
(directeur adjoint du DGSCGC)
Contrôleur général
(officiers investis de responsabilités particulières envers l'État)
Contrôleur généralColonel hors-classe
Colonel
Lieutenant-ColonelCommandantCapitaineLieutenant hors classe
Lieutenant de 1re classe
Lieutenant de 2e classe
Civilian professional firefighters class C
Insigne de poitrine des sapeurs-pompiers de France.jpg SP-ADC.png SP-ADJ.png SP-SGC.png SP-SGT.png SP-CPC.png SP-CPL.png SP-SP1.png SP-SP2.png
Adjudant-ChefAdjudantSergent-ChefSergentCaporal-ChefCaporalSapeur de 1re classeSapeur de 2e classe

Paris Fire Brigade

Rank insignia of a lieutenant of the Paris Fire Brigade FOURREAU BSPP.jpg
Rank insignia of a lieutenant of the Paris Fire Brigade

The Paris Fire Brigade belongs to the army and uses army ranks with the corps of engineers badge. The commanding officer has the rank of divisional general.

Officers
RankGénéral de divisionGénéral de brigadeColonelLieutenant-colonelCommandantCapitaineLieutenantSous-lieutenant
Rank insignia [4] TERRE OF7 GDI.png TERRE OF6 GBR.png BSPP-COL.png BSPP-LTC.png BSPP-CDT.png BSPP-CNE.png BSPP-LTN.png BSPP-SLT.png
Non-commissioned officers
RankMajorAdjudant-chefAdjudantSergent-ChefSergent
with 2nd level
specialty training
Sergent
Rank insignia [4] BSPP-MAJ.svg BSPP-ADC.svg BSPP-ADJ.svg BSPP-SCH.svg BSPP-SGT2.svg BSPP-SGT.svg
Firefighters
RankCaporal-chef
with a 1st grade
technical certificate
Caporal-chef
with 15 years service
Caporal-chefCaporal
with 15 years service
CaporalSapeur de 1re classe
with 15 years service
Sapeur
de 1re classe
Sapeur
de 2nd classe
Rank insignia [4] BSPP-CCH CT1.svg BSPP-CCH + 15 ans.svg BSPP-CCH.svg BSPP-CPL+15 ans.svg BSPP-CPL.svg BSPP-1CL+15 ans.svg BSPP-1CL.svg BSPP-SAP.svg

Marseille Naval Fire Battalion

The Marseille Naval Fire Battalion belongs to the navy and uses naval ranks. The commanding officer has the rank of rear admiral.

Germany

In Germany every federal state has its own civil protection laws thus they have different rank systems. In the professional fire brigades, the intermediate technical fire service requires basic fire fighter training for employment, advanced fire technical service requires a bachelor's degree from a fire college or promotion from the intermediate service, while higher technical fire service requires a master's degree from a university. Additionally, in the volunteer fire departments, there is a difference between a rank and an official position. This is founded on the military traditions of the fire departments. Every firefighter can hold a high rank without having an official position. A firefighter can be promoted by years of service, training skills and qualifications. Official positions are partly elected or given by capabilities. These conditions allow that older ordinary firefighters have higher ranks than their leaders. But through this ranks are no authorities given (brevet rank).

Rheinland-Pfalz

Professional fire fighters (intermediate technical grades) of Rheinland-Pfalz

Completed vocational training in a technical occupation suitable for the fire service. Basic firefighter training.

Berufsfeuerwehr RLP Brandmeister wahrend der Laufbahnausbildung.svg Berufsfeuerwehr RLP Brandmeister.svg Berufsfeuerwehr RLP Oberbrandmeister.svg Berufsfeuerwehr RLP Hauptbrandmeister.svg
Brandmeister/-in
während der Laufbahnausbildung
BrandmeisterOberbrandmeisterHauptbrandmeister
Professional fire fighters (advanced technical grades) of Rheinland-Pfalz

Bachelor of engineering and two years departmental training

Berufsfeuerwehr RLP Brandinspektorenanwarter.svg Berufsfeuerwehr RLP Brandinspektor.svg Berufsfeuerwehr RLP Brandoberinspektor.svg Berufsfeuerwehr RLP Brandamtmann.svg Berufsfeuerwehr RLP Brandamtsrat.svg Berufsfeuerwehr RLP Brandoberamtsrat.svg
BrandinspektorenanwärterBrandinspektorBrandoberinspektorBrandamtmannBrandamtsratBrandoberamtsrat
Professional fire fighters (higher technical grades) of Rheinland-Pfalz

Master of engineering and two years of departmental training

Berufsfeuerwehr RLP Brandreferendar.svg Berufsfeuerwehr RLP Brandrat.svg Berufsfeuerwehr RLP Oberbrandrat.svg Berufsfeuerwehr RLP Branddirektor.svg Berufsfeuerwehr RLP Leitender Branddirektor oder Ministerialrat.svg Berufsfeuerwehr RLP Leitender Ministerialrat.svg Berufsfeuerwehr RLP Landesfeuerwehrinspekteur.svg
BrandreferendarBrandratOberbrandratBranddirektorLeitender Branddirektor
Ministerialrat
Leitender MinisterialratLandesfeuerwehrinspekteur
Helmet insignia of Rheinland-Pfalz
Helmkennzeichnung Zugfuhrer.svg Helmkennzeichnung Kommandant.svg Helmkennzeichnung Kreisbrandmeister.svg
Company leadersUpper technical grades, battalion chiefsHigher technical grades, fire chiefs

Saxony

Ranks of the professional fire brigades in Saxony
Higher technical fire service
Rank [5] Direktor
in der Feuerwehr
Leitender BranddirektorBranddirektorBrandoberratBrandratBrandreferendar
Rank insignia [5] Direktor der feuerwehr-BF-Sachsen.JPG Leitender branddirektor-BF-Sachsen.JPG Branddirektor-BF-Sachsen.JPG Brandoberrat-BF-Sachsen.JPG Brandrat-BF-Sachsen.JPG Brandreferendar-BF-Sachsen.JPG
Functions [6] [a] Chief officerChief officer
Deputy chief officer
Assistant chief officer
Chief officer
Deputy chief officer
Assistant chief officer
Deputy assistant chief officer
Chief officer
Deputy chief officer
Assistant chief officer
Deputy assistant chief officer
Area commander
Assistant chief officer
Deputy assistant chief officer
Group commander
Trainee
  1. Which functions which ranks hold depends on the size of the fire brigade.
Advanced technical fire service
Rank [5] BrandamtsratBrandamtmannBrandoberinspektorBrandinspektor [a] Brandoberinspektor-
Anwärter
Rank insignia [5] Brandamtsrat-BF-Sachsen.JPG Brandamtmann-BF-Sachsen.JPG Brandoberinspektor-BF-Sachsen.JPG Brandinspektor-BF-Sachsen.JPG Brandinspektor-zur-ausbildung-BF-Sachsen.JPG
Functions [6] Station CommanderWatch CommanderWatch Commander
Crew Commander
Watch Commander
Crew Commander
Trainee
  1. Promoted from intermediate service.
Intermediate technical fire service
Ranks [5] Hauptbrandmeister
higher pay
HauptbrandmeisterOberbrandmeisterBrandmeisterBrandmeister-
Anwärter
Rank insignia [5] Hauptbrandmeister-mit-zulage-BF-Sachsen.JPG Hauptbrandmeister-BF-Sachsen.JPG Oberbrandmeister-BF-Sachsen.JPG Brandmeister-BF-Sachsen.JPG Brandmeister-anwaerter-BF-Sachsen.JPG
Functions [6] Crew CommanderLeading firefighterFirefighterFirefighterTrainee


Ranks of the volunteer fire brigades in Saxony
Fire service technical staffManagement
Rank [7] Brandamtsrat [a] HauptbrandinspektorOberbrandinspektorBrandinspektorHauptbrandmeisterOberbrandmeisterBrandmeister
Rank insignia [7] Brandamtsrat-BF-Sachsen.JPG [8] Hauptbrandinspektor.png Oberbrandinspektor.png Brandinspektor.png Hauptbrandmeister-Sachsen.png Oberbrandmeister-Sachsen.png Brandmeister-Sachsen.png
Functions [9] Chief district fire officerChief district fire officerDeputy chief district fire officerFire chief [b] Fire chief [c] Fire chief [d] Watch commander
  1. Full-time salaried employee.
  2. Chief of a fire brigade with more than three watches.
  3. Chief of a fire brigade with three watches.
  4. Chief of a fire brigade with one or two watches.
Sub-OfficersCrew Members
Ranks [7] HauptlöschmeisterLöschmeisterHauptfeuerwehrmannObereuerwehrmannFeuerwehrmannFeuerwehrmann-
Anwärter
Rank insignia [7] Hauptloeschmeister-Sachsen.png Loeschmeister-Sachsen.png Hauptfeuerwehrmann-Sachsen.png Oberfeuerwehrmann-Sachsen.png Feuerwehrmann-Sachsen.png Feuerwehrmann-anwaerter.png
Functions [9] Crew CommanderLeading firefighter
(Specialist)
Leading firefighterLeading firefighterFirefighterTrainee

Germany 1935-1945

The Feuerschutzpolizei was formed in 1938 as a branch of the Ordnungspolizei , formed in 1938 when the German municipal professional fire brigades were transferred to the national police. The previously red fire vehicles, blue uniforms and fire service ranks were replaced by green fire vehicles, green uniforms and police ranks.

Professional fire departments
in Prussia
1935–1938
Feuerschutzpolizei
1938–1941
Feuerschutzpolizei
1941–1945
Insignia
Generalleutnant
Oberbranddirektor [a] GeneralmajorGeneralmajor
Oberbranddirektor
Branddirektor
OberstOberst
OberbauratOberstleutnantOberstleutnant
BauratMajorMajor
Brandingenieur
Brandoberingenieur
Baurat [b]
HauptmannHauptmann FSP-Hauptmann h.svg
Bezirkshauptmann
InspektorBezirksoberleutnant FSP-Oberleutnant h.svg
OberbrandmeisterObermeisterLeutnant FSP-Leutnant h.svg
Bezirksleutnant
BrandmeisterMeisterMeister
LöschmeisterHauptwachtmeisterHauptwachtmeister FSP-Hauptwachtmeister h.svg
OberfeuerwehrmannBezirksoberwachtmeisterBezirksoberwachtmeister FSP-Bezirksoberwachtmeister h.svg
OberwachtmeisterOberwachtmeister FSP-Oberwachtmeister h.svg
FeuerwehrmannWachtmeisterWachtmeister FSP-Wachtmeister h.svg
Rottwachtmeister
Unterwachtmeister [c] FSP-Unterwachtmeister h.svg
Anwärter [c] [d] No insignia
Anwärter [c]
  1. The fire chief of Berlin.
  2. With less than three years in the rank
  3. 1 2 3 Only in the field units
  4. With more than six months in the rank.

Greece

TitleLieutenant generalMajor generalBrigadierColonelLieutenant colonelFire majorFire captainFire lieutenantFire second lieutenant
Greek titleΑντιστράτηγος
Antistrátigos
Υποστράτηγος
Ypostrátigos
Αρχιπύραρχος
Archipýrarchos
Πύραρχος
Pýrarchos
Αντιπύραρχος
Antipýrarchos
Επιπυραγός
Epipyragós
Πυραγός
Pyragós
Υποπυραγός
Ypopyragós
Ανθυποπυραγός
Anthypopyragós
Insignia
GR-Fireservice-OF8.svg
GR-Fireservice-OF7.svg
GR-Fireservice-OF6.svg
GR-Fireservice-OF5.svg
GR-Fireservice-OF4.svg
GR-Fireservice-OF3.svg
GR-Fireservice-OF2.svg
GR-Fireservice-OF1b.svg
GR-Fireservice-OF1.svg
TitleWarrant officer (NCO)Master sergeantSergeantSenior firefighterFirefighter
Greek titleΠυρονόμος
Pyronómos
Αρχιπυροσβέστης Παραγωγικής Σχολής
Archipyrosvéstis Paragogikís Scholís
Αρχιπυροσβέστης Μη Παραγωγικής Σχολής
Archipyrosvéstis Mi Paragogikís Scholís
Υπαρχιπυροσβέστης
Yparchipyrosvéstis
Πυροσβέστης
Pyrosvéstis
Insignia
GR-Fireservice-WO1.svg
GR-Fireservice-OR9.svg
GR-Fireservice-OR8.svg
GR-Fireservice-OR7.svg
GR-Fireservice-OR5.svg

Hungary

Officers

Rank groupGeneral / flag officersSenior officersJunior officers
Flag of Hungary.svg National Directorate General for Disaster Management Rank Fire Department Hungary COL.svg Rank Fire Department Hungary LTC.svg Rank Fire Department Hungary MAJ.svg Rank Fire Department Hungary CPT.svg Rank Fire Department Hungary 1LT.svg Rank Fire Department Hungary 2LT.svg
Tűzoltó ezredesTűzoltó alezredesTűzoltó őrnagyTűzoltó századosTűzoltó főhadnagyTűzoltó hadnagy

NCO and enlisted grades

Rank groupSenior NCOsJunior NCOsEnlisted
Flag of Hungary.svg National Directorate General for Disaster Management Rank Fire Department Hungary WO-3.svg Rank Fire Department Hungary WO-2.svg Rank Fire Department Hungary WO-1.svg Rank Fire Department Hungary SFC.svg Rank Fire Department Hungary SSGT.svg Rank Fire Department Hungary SGT.svg
Tűzoltó főtörzszászlósTűzoltó törzszászlósTűzoltó zászlósTűzoltó főtörzsőrmesterTűzoltó törzsőrmesterTűzoltó őrmester


India

In the Indian fire services, the ranks and hierarchy may vary slightly across different states and organizations. The specific rank names and their corresponding responsibilities may vary across different states and organizations in India. The following ranks are commonly found in indian fire departments. [10]

Indonesia

Firefighters in Indonesia form part of the civil service of local governments and wear variant forms of uniforms worn by civil servants and employees.

Rank categoryRank category numberRank in IndonesianEquivalent rank
(with US general schedule and UK civil service paygrade)
Rank in English
(Provincial/city/municipal/regency/district fire service personnel only)
Directors and commissionersIV/ePembina UtamaDirector general
senior executive service level V,
pay band 3 A7
Director
IV/dPembina Utama MadyaDirector
senior executive service level V
pay band 2 A7
Chief commissioner
IV/cPembina Utama MudaDeputy director
GS-15,
pay band 2 A6
Commander
Subaltern and field ranked officersIV/bPembina Tingkat IAssistant director
GS-14,
grade 6 A5
Senior commissioner
IV/aPembinaSenior executive officer 1st class
GS-14, grade 7 A4
Commissioner
III/dPenata Tingkat ISenior executive officer 2nd class
GS-13, grade 7 A3
Battalion chief
III/cPenataHigher executive officer 1st class
GS-12, grade 7 A2
Captain
LieutenantsIII/bPenata Muda Tingkat IHigher executive officer
GS-11, A2
First lieutenant
III/aPenata MudaExecutive officer 1st class
GS-10, A2/B6
Second lieutenant
Senior NCOsII/dPengatur Tingkat IExecutive officer 2nd class
GS-9, A1/B6
Station sub-officer
II/cPengaturExecutive officer
GS-8, A1/B5
Brigadier major
Junior NCOsII/bPengatur Muda Tingkat IAdministrative officer class 1
GS-7, B4
Brigadier 1st class
II/aPengatur MudaAdministrative officer class 2
GS-6, B4
Senior brigader
Basic levelI/dJuru Tingkat IHigher clerical officer 1st class
GS-5, B3
Brigadier
I/cJuruHigher clerical officer
GS-4/GS-3, B3
Junior brigadier
I/bJuru Muda Tingkat IClerical officer
GS-2, B2
Senior firefighter
I/aJuru MudaAdministrative assistant
GS-1, B1
Firefighter

Iran

Iranian insignia Iran fire department daraje.jpg
Iranian insignia

In Iran, every city has its own fire department, but ranks are the same in the whole country, and are as follows:

RankPersianCollar/epaulette markingsCollar/epaulette markings (in Persian)
Volunteer firefighter IIIآتش نشان داوطلب سومOne golden barیک خط طلایی
Volunteer firefighter IIآتش نشان داوطلب دومTwo golden barsدو خط طلایی
Volunteer firefighterآتش نشان داوطلبThree golden barsسه خط طلایی
Firefighter IIIآتش نشان سومOne silver barیک خط نقره ای
Firefighter IIآتش نشان دومTwo silver barsدو خط نقره ای
Firefighterآتش نشانThree silver barsسه خط نقره ای
Head firefighter IIIسرآتش نشان سومOne flame with a thin silver bar below it and one golden barیک شعله با زیر پایه ی نقره ای نازک و یک خط طلایی
Head firefighter IIسرآتش نشان دومOne flame with a thin silver bar below it and two golden barsیک شعله با زیر پایه ی نقره ای نازک و دو خط طلایی
Head firefighterسرآتش نشانOne flame with a thin silver bar below it and three golden barsیک شعله با زیر پایه ی نقره ای نازک و سه خط طلایی
Master firefighter IIIآتش یار سومOne flame with golden border and silver bar below flameیک شعله با حاشیه ی طلایی و زیر پایه ی نقره ای حجیم زیر شعله
Master firefighter IIآتش یار دومTwo flames with golden border and silver bar below each flameدو شعله با حاشیه ی طلایی و زیر پایه ی نقره ای حجیم زیر هر شعله
Master firefighterآتش یارThree flames with golden border and silver bar below each flameسه شعله با حاشیه ی طلایی و زیر پایه ی نقره ای حجیم زیر هر شعله
Head master firefighterسر آتش یارFour flames with golden border and silver bar below each flameچهار شعله با حاشیه ی طلایی و زیر پایه ی نقره ای حجیم زیر هر شعله
Chief firefighter IIIآتش پاد سومOne empty golden wreathیک حلقه گل طلایی خالی
Chief firefighter IIآتش پاد دومOne golden wreath with a flame inside itیک حلقه گل طلایی با یک شعله درونش
Chief firefighterآتش پادOne golden wreath with a flame inside it and a silver bar below themیک حلقه گل طلایی با یک شعله درونش و یک خط نقره ای زیر آنها
Chief master firefighter IIIفرآتش پاد سومOne golden wreath with a flame inside it and two silver bars below themیک حلقه گل طلایی با یک شعله درونش و دو خط نقره ای زیر آنها
Chief master firefighter IIفرآتش پاد دومOne golden wreath with a flame inside it and three silver bars below themیک حلقه گل طلایی با یک شعله درونش و سه خط نقره ای زیر آنها
Chief master firefighterفرآتش پادOne golden wreath with a flame inside it and four silver bars below themیک حلقه گل طلایی با یک شعله درونش و چهار خط نقره ای زیر آنها

Ireland

Ireland's fire service is provided by its 31 local authorities. The four Dublin local authorities provide an unified fire service for County Dublin. Dublin Fire Brigade also provides an emergency ambulance service. Galway City Council and Galway County Council also provide a unified fire service. Whereas Cork City Council and Cork County Council provide separate fire services. The remaining local authorities provide a fire service for their respective county. [11] Ireland's ranks and insignia are similar across the country, with some differences in Dublin Fire Brigade.

StructureCounty brigadesDublin Fire Brigade [12]
RankInsigniaHelmetInsigniaHelmet
Firefighter London Fire Brigade - Firefighter rank insignia.svg Yellow London Fire Brigade - Firefighter rank insignia.svg Yellow
Leading firefighter
or driver mechanic
London Fire Brigade - Leading Firefighter rank insignia.svg Yellow, one 12 mm horizontal black stripeThis rank is not used in Dublin
Sub officer London Fire Brigade - Sub-Officer rank insignia.svg Yellow, two 12 mm horizontal black stripes London Fire Brigade - Sub-Officer rank insignia.svg Yellow, two 12 mm horizontal black stripes
Station officer London Fire Brigade - Station Officer rank insignia.svg White, one 19 mm horizontal black stripe London Fire Brigade - Station Officer rank insignia.svg White, one 12 mm horizontal black stripe
District officer (operations)
or district FPO
These ranks are not used in counties London Fire Brigade - Group Commander rank insignia.svg White, one 19 mm horizontal black stripe
Third officer (operations)
or executive FPO
London Fire Brigade - Assistant Commissioner rank insignia.svg White, two horizontal black stripes (one 19 mm, one 12 mm)
Senior assistant chief fire officer London Fire Brigade - Deputy Commissioner rank insignia.svg White, one 38 mm horizontal broad black stripeThis rank is not used in Dublin
Chief fire officer London Fire Brigade - Commissioner rank insignia.svg White, two 38 mm horizontal broad black stripes London Fire Brigade - Commissioner rank insignia.svg White, one 38 mm horizontal broad black stripe
Key:
FPO = fire prevention officer

Israel

Officers
FireDepIsrael.svg Rav-tafsar.jpg Tafsar-Major general firefighter-Israel FRS Ranks.jpg Tat-tafsar-Brigadier general firefighter-Israel FRS Ranks.jpg Tafsar-Mishne-Colonel firefighter-Israel FRS Ranks.jpg Sgan-Tafsar.jpg Rav-Reshef-Major firefighter-Israel FRS Ranks.jpg Reshef-Captain firefighter-Israel FRS Ranks.jpg Lahav.jpg Lahav-mishne.jpg
Rav tafsar
(רב טפסר)
Tafsar
(טפסר)
Tat tafsar
(תת טפסר)
Tafsar mishne
(טפסר משנה)
Segan tafsar
(סגן טפסר)
Ráv Reshef
(רב רשף)
Reshef
(רשף)
Lahav
(להב)
Lahav mishne
(להב משנה)
EnglishLieutenant general
firefighter
Major general
firefighter
Brigadier general
firefighter
Colonel
firefighter
Lieutenant colonel
firefighter
Major
firefighter
Captain
firefighter
First lieutenant
firefighter
Second lieutenant
firefighter
Other Ranks
FireDepIsrael.svg Kabaut-7.png Kabaut-6.png Kabaut-5.png Kabaut-4.png Kabaut-3.png Kabaut-2.png Kabaut-1.png
Rav semel bakhir kabai
(רב-סמל בכיר-כבאי)
Rav semel rishon kabai
(רב-סמל ראשון-כבאי)
Rav semel kabai
(רב-סמל-כבאי)
Semel kabai
(סמל כבאי)
Rav kabai
(רב כבאי)
Lokhem esh rishon
(לוחם אש ראשון)
Lokhem esh
(לוחם אש)
EnglishSergeant major
firefighter
Master sergeant
firefighter
Sergeant 1st class
firefighter
Sergeant
firefighter
Corporal
firefighter
Senior firefighterFirefighter

Italy

Chief fire officers
Coat of Arms of the Vigili del Fuoco.svg Dir gen capo corpo.png Dir gen vvf.png Dir sup C vvf.png Dir sup vvf.png 1degdir E vvf.png 1degdir F vvf.png
Dirigente generale
Capo di corpo
Dirigente generaleDirigente superiore
di livello C
Dirigente superiore
di livello D
Dirigente superiore
di livello E
Dirigente superiore
di livello F
Fire officers
Coat of Arms of the Vigili del Fuoco.svg Dir vicedirE vvf.png Dir vicedir vvf.png Direttore vvf.png Vice direttore vvf.png
Direttore vice dirigente
con funzioni dei vicario dei dirigente di livello E
Direttore vice dirigenteDirettoreVice direttore
Station commanders
Coat of Arms of the Vigili del Fuoco.svg Sost dir ant cap 2012vvf.png Sost dir ant cap2012vvf.png Sost dir ant2012vvf.png Isp ant esp2012vvf.png Isp ant 2012vvf.png V Isp ant 2012vvf.png
Sostituto direttore antincendi capo espertoSostituto direttore antincendi capoSostituto direttore antincendiIspettore antincendi coordinatoreIspettore antincendi espertoIspettore antincendi
Crew commanders
Coat of Arms of the Vigili del Fuoco.svg Capo rep 2012vvf.png Capo sq esp 2012vvf.png Capo sq 2012vvf.png
CaporepartoCaposquadra espertoCaposquadra
Firefighters
Coat of Arms of the Vigili del Fuoco.svg Vigile coord 2012vvf.png Vigile esp 2012vvf.png Vigile 2012vvf.png
Vigile del fuoco coordinatoreVigile del fuoco espertoVigile del fuoco
Volunteer firefighters
Coat of Arms of the Vigili del Fuoco.svg Sost dir ant cap2012vvf volontario.png Capo rep 2012vvf volontario.png Capo sq 2012vvf volontario.png Vigile 2012vvf volontario.png
Funzionario tecnico antincendi volontarioCaporeparto volontarioCaposquadra volontarioVigile del fuoco volontario

Japan

Municipal fire departments

The rank structure and insignia of the career municipal fire departments of Japan are dictated in regulations published by the Fire and Disaster Management Agency, the nation's coordinating body for fire and rescue services. In formal and station wear, rank is indicated by a small rectangular badge, normally worn on the left breast, consisting of varying numbers of lines and stars (the star used on the badge is the Firefighter's Emblem of Japan), whereas in operational wear rank is normally indicated by bands on the headwear of varying number and thickness according to rank.

Rank [1] Roles in a department serving the special wards (Tokyo Fire Department) [13] Roles in a department serving a designated city or over 700,000 residents [13] Roles in a department serving 300,000 to 700,000 residents [13] Roles in a department serving 100,000 to 300,000 residents [13] Roles in a department serving less than 100,000 residents [13] Badge Insignia [14] Helmet Markings [14]
Fire Chief (aka Fire Superintendent-General)

Japanese: 消防総監

Hepburn: Shōbō sōkan

Chief of the Department Rank Insignia of Japan Fire Department - Fire Chief.svg Fire Chief Japanese Helmet Markings.png
Deputy Chief (aka Fire Chief Superintendent)

Japanese: 消防司監

Hepburn : Shōbō shikan

Vice-Chief of the Department,

HQ Chief of Division

Chief of the Department Rank Insignia of Japan Fire Department - Deputy Chief.svg Deputy Chief Japanese Helmet Markings.png
First Assistant Chief (aka Fire Senior Superintendent)

Japanese:消防正監

Hepburn : Shōbō seikan

HQ Chief of Division,

District Chief

Vice-Chief of the Department,

HQ Chief of Division, Station Chief

Chief of the Department Rank Insignia of Japan Fire Department - First Assistant Chief.svg First Assistant Chief Japanese Helmet Markings.png
Assistant Chief (aka Fire Superintendent)

Japanese:消防監

Hepburn : Shōbō kan

Counsellor of the Department,

HQ Chief of Section, Station Chief

HQ Chief of Section,

Station Vice-Chief

Vice-Chief of the Department,

HQ Chief of Division, Station Chief

Chief of the Department Rank Insignia of Japan Fire Department - Assistant Chief.svg Assistant Chief Japanese Helmet Markings.png
Battalion Chief (aka Fire Senior Commander)

Japanese:消防司令長

Hepburn: Shōbō shirei-chō

HQ/Station Chief of Section,

Vice-Counsellor of the Department, Station Vice-Chief

HQ/Station Chief of Section,

Battalion Commander

HQ Chief of Section,

Station Vice-Chief, Battalion Commander

Vice-Chief of the Department,

HQ/Station Chief of Section, Station Chief

Chief of the Department Rank Insignia of Japan Fire Department - Battalion Chief.svg Batallion Chief Japanese Helmet Markings.png
Fire Captain (aka Fire Commander)

Japanese: 消防司令

Hepburn: Shōbō shirei

HQ/Station Assistant Chief of Section,

HQ/Station Chief of Subsection, Battalion Commander

HQ Assistant Chief of Section,

HQ/Station Chief of Subsection, Company Commander

HQ/Station Assistant Chief of Section,

HQ Chief of Subsection, Company Commander, Platoon Commander

HQ/Station Assistant Chief of SectionVice-Chief of the Department,

HQ Chief of Section, HQ Assistant Chief of Section, Station Chief, Station-Vice Chief, Battalion Commander

Rank Insignia of Janpan Fire Department - Fire Captain.svg Fire Captain Japanese Helmet Markings.png
Fire Lieutenant (aka Fire Assistant Commander)

Japanese: 消防司令補

Hepburn: Shōbō shirei-ho

HQ/Station Senior Staff,

Company Commander, Platoon Commander

HQ Senior Staff,

HQ Chief Examiner, Station Chief of Subsection, Platoon Commander

HQ/Station Chief Examiner,

Station Chief of Subsection

HQ/Station Chief of Subsection,

Company Commander

HQ/Station Chief of Subsection,

Company Commander, Platoon Commander

Rank Insignia of Janpan Fire Department - Fire Lieutenant.svg Fire Lieutenant Japanese Helmet Markings.png
Fire Sergeant (aka Firefighter Chief)

Japanese: 消防士長 H

Hepburn: Shōbō shichō

HQ Assistant Senior Staff,

Station Team Leader, Station Team Member

HQ Assistant Senior Staff,

Station Team Leader, Station Team Member

HQ/Station Senior Staff,

Station Team Leader, Station Team Member

HQ/Station Chief Examiner, Platoon CommanderHQ/Station Chief of Subsection,

HQ/Station Chief Examiner, Platoon Commander

Rank Insignia of Japan Fire Department - Fire Sergeant.svg Fire Sgt Japanese Helmet Markings.png
Assistant Fire Sergeant (aka Assistant Firefighter Chief)

Japanese: 消防副士長

Hepburn: Shōbō fuku-shichō

HQ Team Member,

Station Team Leader, Station Team Member

HQ Team Member,

Station Team Leader, Station Team Member

HQ Assistant Senior Staff,

Station Team Leader, Station Team Member

HQ/Station Assistant Chief ExaminerHQ/Station Senior Staff Rank Insignia of Janpan Fire Department - Assistant Fire Sergeant.svg Assistant Fire Sgt Japanese Helmet Markings.png
Firefighter

Japanese: 消防士

Hepburn: Shōbō shi

HQ Team Member,

Station Team Leader, Station Team Member

HQ Team Member,

Station Team Leader, Station Team Member

HQ Team Member,

Station Team Leader, Station Team Member

HQ Team Member,

Station Team Leader, Station Team Member

HQ Team Member,

Station Team Leader, Station Team Member

Rank Insignia of Japan Fire Department - Fire Fighter.svg Firefighter Japanese Helmet Markings.png

Volunteer fire corps

The rank structure and insignia of the reserve volunteer fire corps of Japan are also dictated by the Fire and Disaster Management Agency. As with the career departments, in formal and station wear, rank is indicated by a small rectangular badge, normally worn on the left breast, consisting of varying numbers of lines and stars (the star used on the badge in this case is the Volunteer Fire Corps Emblem of Japan), whereas in operational wear rank is normally indicated by bands on the headwear of varying number and thickness according to rank.

Rank [2] Volunteer Firefighter

Japanese: 団員

Hepburn: Dan'in

Volunteer Crew Chief

Japanese: 班長

Hepburn: Hanchō

Volunteer Company Chief

Japanese: 部長

Hepburn: Buchō

Volunteer Assistant Squad Chief

Japanese: 副分団長

Hepburn: Fuku-bun danchō

Volunteer Squad Chief

Japanese: 分団長

Hepburn: Bun danchō

Volunteer Assistant Fire Chief

Japanese: 副団長

Hepburn: Fuku danchō

Volunteer Fire Chief

Japanese: 団長

Hepburn: Danchō

Badge Insignia [15]
Rank Insignia of Janpan Volunteer Fire Department - Volunteer Firefighter.svg
Rank Insignia of Janpan Volunteer Fire Department - Volunteer Crew Chief.svg
Rank Insignia of Janpan Volunteer Fire Department - Volunteer Company Chief.svg
Rank Insignia of Janpan Volunteer Fire Department - Assistant Volunteer Squad Chief.svg
Rank Insignia of Janpan Volunteer Fire Department - Volunteer Squad Chief.svg
Rank Insignia of Janpan Volunteer Fire Department - Assistant Volunteer Fire Chief.svg
Rank Insignia of Janpan Volunteer Fire Department - Volunteer Fire Chief.svg
Helmet Markings [15]
Volunteer Firefighter Japanese Helmet Markings.png
Volunteer Crew or Company Chief Japanese Helmet Markings.png
Volunteer (Assistant) Squad Chief Japanese Helmet Markings.png
Volunteer Assistant Fire Chief Japanese Helmet Markings.png
Volunteer Fire Chief Japanese Helmet Markings.png

Luxembourg

Higher cadre of professional and volunteer fire fighters [16]
Cadre supérieur des pompiers volontaires et professionnels
Insignia Directeur general CGDIS.jpg Colonel CGDIS.svg Lieutenant-colonel CGDIS.svg Major CGDIS.svg Capitaine CGDIS.svg Lieutenant 1ere classe CGDIS.svg Lieutenant CGDIS.svg Lieutenant-aspirant CGDIS.svg
FrenchDirecteur généralColonelLieutenant-colonelMajorCapitaineLieutenant 1ère classeLieutenantLieutenant-aspirant
EnglishDirector generalColonelLieutenant colonelMajorCaptainLieutenant 1st classLieutenantAspirant lieutenant
Middle cadre of professional and volunteer fire fighters [16]
Cadre moyen des pompiers volontaires et professionnels
Insignia Adjudant-major CGDIS.svg Adjudant-chef CGDIS.svg Adjudant CGDIS.svg Adjudant-aspirant CGDIS.svg
FrenchAdjudant-majorAdjudant-chefAdjudantAdjudant-aspirant
EnglishChief warrant officerMaster warrant officerWarrant officerAspirant warrant officer
Basic cadre of professional and volunteer fire fighters [16]
Cadre de base des pompiers volontaires et professionnels
Insignia Sergent-major CGDIS.svg Sergent-chef CGDIS.svg Sergent CGDIS.svg Caporal-chef 1ere classe CGDIS.jpg Caporal-chef CGDIS.svg Caporal CGDIS.svg Brigadier CGDIS.svg Brigadier-aspirant CGDIS.svg
FrenchSergent-majorSergent-chefSergentCaporal-chef 1ère classeCaporal-chefCaporalBrigadierBrigadier-aspirant
EnglishSergeant majorMaster sergeantSergeantMaster corporal 1st classMaster corporalCorporalBrigadierAspirant brigadier

Malaysia

No.RankAbbreviationRank (English)GradeEpaulet
Shoulder boardCollar badge
Penguasa Bomba (fire superintendent)
1Ketua Pesuruhjaya BombaKPjBChief fire commissionerJUSA A
2Pesuruhjaya BombaPjBFire commissionerJUSA B
3Timbalan Pesuruhjaya BombaTPjBDeputy fire commissionerJUSA C
4Penolong Kanan Pesuruhjaya BombaPKPjBSenior assistant fire commissionerKB 54
5Penolong Pesuruhjaya BombaPPjBAssistant fire commissionerKB 52
6Penguasa Kanan Bomba IPgKB ISenior fire superintendent IKB 48
7Penguasa Kanan Bomba IIPgKB IISenior fire superintendent IIKB 44
8Penguasa BombaPgBFire superintendentKB 41
Penolong Penguasa Bomba (assistant fire superintendent)
9Timbalan Penguasa BombaTPgBDeputy fire superintendentKB 38
10Penolong Kanan Penguasa BombaPKPgBSenior assistant fire superintendentKB 32
11Penolong Penguasa BombaPPgBAssistant fire superintendentKB 29
Pegawai Bomba (fire officer)
12Pegawai Bomba TinggiPBTLeading fire officerKB 26
13Pegawai Bomba Kanan IPBK ISenior fire officer IKB 24
14Pegawai Bomba Kanan IIPBK IISenior fire officer IIKB 22
15Pegawai BombaPBFire officerKB 17 / 19No insignia

Netherlands

Hoofdcommandeur.svg HoofdcommandeurFire chief
Adjunct hoofdcommandeur.svg Adjunct-HoofdcommandeurDeputy fire chief
Commandeur.svg CommandeurDivision chief
Hoofdbrandmeester.svg HoofdbrandmeesterBattalion chief
Brandmeester.svg BrandmeesterCaptain
Hoofdbrandwacht.svg HoofdbrandwachtEngineer
Brandwacht 1e klas.svg BrandwachtFire fighter
Brandweer Aspirant Insigne.svg Algemene / AspirantfunctiesTrainee

New Zealand

In New Zealand, rank is shown on epaulettes on firefighters' station uniform, and through colors and stripes on firefighter helmets. As the nation only has a single fire service, Fire and Emergency New Zealand, ranks are consistent through the country.

RankEpaulette [17] Helmet [17]
Recruit firefighter (RFF)Blank with "RECRUIT"Fluro-green
Firefighter (FF)One hollow barYellow, one white stripe
Qualified firefighter (QFF)One solid white barYellow, one red stripe
Senior firefighter (SFF)Two solid white barsYellow, two red stripes
Station officer (SO)One impellerRed, one blue stripe
Senior station officer (SSO)Two impellersRed, two blue stripes
Deputy chief fire officer (DCFO) (Volunteer)Impeller above an impeller with laurelWhite, one blue stripe and Deputy Chief Fire Officer label
Chief fire officer (CFO) (Volunteer)Two impellers above an impeller with laurelWhite, two blue stripes and Chief Fire Officer label
Assistant Commander (AC)Box border, three impellersSilver, Assistant Commander label
Commander (CD)Box border, ne impeller below a crownSilver, one blue stripe, Commander label
Assistant national commander (ANC)Three impellers trefoil below a crownSilver, two blue stripes, Assistant National Commander label
Deputy national commander (DNC)Silver crossed sword and baton below an impellerBlack, Deputy National Commander label
National commander (NC)Silver crossed sword and baton below a crownBlack, National Commander label

Nicaragua

Patch3.PNG Rank insignia
Officers Comandante CBMY.TIF Comandante.tif Mayor del Cuerpo de Bomberos de Masaya.tiff Capitan.TIF Teniente.tif Subteniente.TIF
Comandante
Primer Jefe
ComandanteMayorCapitánTenienteSubteniente
Troops Sargento 1ra Clase.TIF Sargento.TIF Cabo 1ro.TIF Cabo.TIF
Sargento 1.ºSargentoCabo 1.ºCabo


Philippines

Commissioned officers

Non-commissioned officers

Peru

Cuerpo General de Bomberos Voluntarios del Perú

Category General Officers Superior Officers Officers Sub-Officers
Compania de Bomberos Chaclacayo Ndeg 115.jpg INSIGNIAS DE GRADO PARA UNIFORMES (1).png INSIGNIAS DE GRADO PARA UNIFORMES (2).png INSIGNIAS DE GRADO PARA UNIFORMES (3).png INSIGNIAS DE GRADO PARA UNIFORMES (4).png INSIGNIAS DE GRADO PARA UNIFORMES (5).png INSIGNIAS DE GRADO PARA UNIFORMES (6).png INSIGNIAS DE GRADO PARA UNIFORMES (7).png INSIGNIAS DE GRADO PARA UNIFORMES (8).png INSIGNIAS DE GRADO PARA UNIFORMES (9).png
Rank Comandante general General de brigada Brigadier mayor Brigadier Teniente brigadier Capitán Teniente Subteniente Seccionario
Source: [18]

Poland

State Fire Service

Strazak m.svg Starszystrazak m.svg Sekcyjny m.svg Starszysekcyjny m.svg
Strażak
Firefighter
Private
Starszy strażak
Senior firefighter
Private
Sekcyjny
Section leader
Private 1st class
Starszy sekcyjny
Senior section leader
Specialist
Mlodszyogniomistrz m.svg Ogniomistrz.svg Starszyogniomistrz m.svg
Młodszy ogniomistrz
Junior firemaster
Corporal
Ogniomistrz
Firemaster
Sergeant
Starszy ogniomistrz
Senior firemaster
Staff sergeant
Mlodszyaspirant m.svg Aspirant m.svg Starszyaspirant m.svg Aspirantsztabowy m.svg
Młodszy aspirant
Junior aspirant
Sergeant 1st class
Aspirant
Aspirant
Master sergeant
Starszy aspirant
Senior aspirant
Sergeant major
Aspirant sztabowy
Staff aspirant
Command sergeant major
Ml kapitan m.svg Kapitan strazy m.svg Stkapitan m.svg Ml brygadier m.svg
Młodszy kapitan
Junior captain
Second lieutenant
Kapitan
Captain
First lieutenant
Starszy kapitan
Senior captain
Captain
Młodszy brygadier
Junior brigadier
Major
Brygadier m.svg St brygadier m.svg Nadbrygadier m.svg Gen brygadier m.svg
Brygadier
Brigadier
Lieutenant colonel
Starszy brygadier
Senior brigadier
Colonel
Nadbrygadier
Chief brigadier
Brigadier general
Generał brygadier
General brigadier
Major general

Volunteer Fire Services

Local level
L01.svg L02.svg L03.svg L04.svg L05.svg L06.svg L07.svg
FirefighterSenior FirefighterTeam CommanderDeputy Section CommanderSection CommanderDeputy Platoon CommanderPlatoon Commander
L08.svg L09.svg L10.svg L11.svg L12.svg L13.svg
Board MemberMember of the Audit CommitteeDeputy Fire ChiefVice President and Fire ChiefChairman of the Audit CommitteePresident

Fire Brigades 1941

400p Stopnie wprowadzone z inicjatywy Jerzego Lgockiego w strazach pozarnych w 1941 roku.jpg
400p

Romania

Officer ranks
Flag of Romania.svg Corpului Pompierilor RO-Gendarmerie-OF9.png RO-Gendarmerie-OF8.png RO-Gendarmerie-OF7.png RO-Gendarmerie-OF6.png RO-ISU-Col.jpg RO-ISU-LtCol.jpg RO-ISU-Maior.jpg ISU-3.jpg RO-Firefighters-OF1b.jpg ISU sublocotenent.jpg
Mareșal GeneralGeneral-locotenentGeneral-maiorGeneral de brigadăColonelLocotenent-colonelMaiorCăpitanLocotenentSublocotenent
Other ranks
Flag of Romania.svg Corpului Pompierilor RO-Firefighters-OR9.jpg RO-ISU-PltAdj.jpg RO-Firefighters-OR7.jpg RO-Firefighters-OR6.jpg RO-ISU-SgtMj.jpg RO-ISU-Sgt.jpg
Plutonier adjutant șefPlutonier adjutantPlutonier-majorPlutonierSergent-majorSergent

Russian Federation

Rank insignia

Personnel of the Russian State Fire Service use special ranks of internal service (apart from military personnel of the service who use military ranks). [19]

Senior command personnelSenior command personnelMiddle command personnelOfficer students
Rank [19] Colonel General
of Internal Service
Lieutenant General
of Internal Service
Major General
of Internal Service
Colonel
of Internal Service
Lieutenant Colonel
of Internal Service
Major
of Internal Service
Captain
of Internal Service
Senior Lieutenant
of Internal Service
Lieutenant
of Internal Service
Junior Lieutenant
of Internal Service
Officer Student
Rank insignia [19] [20] General-polkovnik MChS2.png General-leitenant MChS2.png General-maior MChS2.png Polkovnik MChS2.png Podpolkovnik MChS2.png Maior MChS2.png Kapitan MChS2.png Starshii leitenant MChS2.png Leitenant MChS2.png Mladshii leitenant MChS2.png Kursant vnutrennei sluzhby MChS Rossii2.png
Junior command personnelPrivates
Rank [19] Senior Warrant Officer
of Internal Service
Warrant Officer
of Internal Service
Master Sergeant
of Internal Service
Senior Sergeant
of Internal Service
Sergeant
of Internal Service
Junior Sergeant
of Internal Service
Private
of Internal Service
Rank insignia [19] [20] Starshii praporshchik2.png Praporshchik MChS2.png Starshina MChS2.png Starshii serzhant MChS2.png Starshii serzhant MChS2.png Mladshii serzhant MChS2.png Riadovoi MChS2.png
Helmet insignia
A Russian firefighter with a head of duty shift fire station helmet. Russian Firefighters.jpg
A Russian firefighter with a head of duty shift fire station helmet.
Insignia Emercom.gif
RankHelmet colour/markings
FirefighterThe all color helmet with the applied number, indicating the fire station
Head of fire brigadeThe all color helmet with the applied number, indicating the fire station, underlined by line 50 mm wide and 5 mm thick
Head of duty shift fire stationThe all color helmet with the applied a circle, inside which the applied number is indicating the fire station
Deputy head of the fire stationThe all color helmet with the applied a triangle, inside which the applied number is indicating the fire station
Head of the fire stationThe all color helmet with the applied a square, inside which the applied number is indicating the fire station
Commanding staff of the fire departmentThe all color helmet with the applied a circle, inside which the applied a rhombus

Singapore

Officers
Rank groupGeneral / flag officersSenior officersJunior officers
Singapore Civil Defence Force [21] Blank.svg Blank.svg Blank.svg Blank.svg SCDF COL.png SCDF LTC.png SCDF MAJ.png Blank.svg Blank.svg Blank.svg SCDF OCT-S.png SCDF OCT-J.png
Commissioner Deputy commissioner Senior assistant commissioner Assistant commissioner Colonel Lieutenant colonel Major Captain Lieutenant Second lieutenant
Officer cadet
Warrant officers
Rank groupWarrant officers
Singapore Civil Defence Force [21] SCDF WO2.png SCDF WO1.png
Warrant officer 2 Warrant officer 1
Other ranks
Rank groupSenior NCOsJunior NCOsEnlisted
Singapore Civil Defence Force [21] SCDF Sgt.png SCDF Sgt.png SCDF Sgt.png SCDF Cpl.png SCDF LCp.png SCDF Pte.png SCDF Pte.png
Sergeant 3 Sergeant 2 Sergeant 1 Corporal Lance corporal Private Recruit

Soviet Union

19361937-1939
CategoryCity Fire Department BBVParamilitary Fire Service PMBCategoryCity Fire DepartmentParamilitary Fire Service
1936From 16.06.1936From 13.09.1936From 17.11.1937From 15.04.1938From 26.02.1939
BBVPMBCollarForearmsCollar patchesForearmsCollar patchesUpper armCollar patchCollar patchCollar patch
Privaten/a Nz riad gpo 1936.png Pozh0 riad 1936.png Nz riad 1936.png Pozh1 riad 1936.png Znak vpo 1936 goda.png Private Pozh riad gpo.png Pozh riad.png no changes
К-1К-1n/a Nz riad1 gpo 1936.png Pozh0 riad1 1936.png Nz riad1 1936.png Pozh1 riad1 1936.png Znak vpo 1936 goda.png К-1, К-2 Pozh serzh gpo.png Pozh serzh.png no changes
К-2К-2n/a Nz riad2 gpo 1936.png Pozh0 riad1 1936.png Nz riad2 1936.png Pozh1 riad2 1936.png Znak vpo 1936 goda.png
К-3n/an/a Nz riad3 gpo 1936.png
К-4К-3 Znak po.png Nz ms1 gpo 1936.png Pozh ms 1936.png Nz ms1 1936.png Pozh ms1 1936.png Znak vpo 1936 goda.png К-3 Pozh ms1 gpo.png Pozh ms1.png no changes
К-5К-4 Znak po.png Nz ms2 gpo 1936.png Pozh ms 1936.png Nz ms2 1936.png Pozh1 ms2 1936.png Znak vpo 1936 goda.png К-4 Pozh ms2 gpo.png Pozh ms2.png no changes
К-6К-5 Znak po.png Nz ms3 gpo 1936.png Pozh ms 1936.png Nz ms3 1936.png Pozh1 ms3 1936.png Znak vpo 1936 goda.png К-5 Pozh ms3 gpo.png Pozh ms3.png no changes
К-7К-6 Znak po.png Nz ms4 gpo 1936.png Pozh ms 1936.png Nz ms4 1936.png Pozh1 ms4 1936.png Znak vpo 1936 goda.png К-6 Pozh ms4 gpo.png Pozh ms4.png no changes
К-8К-7 Znak po.png Znak po.png Nz ss1 gpo 1936.png Pozh ss 1936.png Nz ss1 1936.png Pozh1 ss1 1936.png Znak vpo 1936 goda.png К-7 Pozh ss1 gpo.png Pozh ss1.png no changes
К-9К-8 Znak po.png Znak po.png Nz ss2 gpo 1936.png Pozh ss 1936.png Nz ss2 1936.png Pozh1 ss2 1936.png Znak vpo 1936 goda.png К-8 Pozh ss2 gpo.png Pozh ss2.png no changes
К-10К-9 Znak po.png Znak po.png Nz ss3 gpo 1936.png Pozh ss 1936.png Nz ss3 1936.png Pozh1 ss3 1936.png Znak vpo 1936 goda.png К-9 Pozh ss3 gpo.png Pozh ss3.png no changes
К-11К-10 Znak po.png Znak po.png Znak po.png Nz vks1 gpo 1936.png Pozh vns 1936.png Nz vks1 1936.png Pozh1 vs 1936.png Znak vpo 1936 goda.png К-10 Pozh vs1 gpo.png Pozh vs1.png Pozh vs12.png
К-12К-11 Znak po.png Znak po.png Znak po.png Nz vks2 gpo 1936.png Pozh vns 1936.png Nz vks2 1936.png Pozh1 vs2 1936.png Znak vpo 1936 goda.png К-11 Pozh vs3 gpo.png Pozh vs3.png Pozh vs22.png
К-13К-12 Znak po.png Znak po.png Znak po.png Nz vks3 gpo 1936.png Pozh vns 1936.png Nz vks3 1936.png Pozh1 vs3 1936.png Znak vpo 1936 goda.png К-12 Pozh vs3 gpo.png Pozh vs3.png Pozh vs32.png
n/aК-13n/an/a Pozh vns 1936.png Pozh nz vs4 1936.png Pozh1 vs4 1936.png Znak vpo 1936 goda.png К-13n/an/a Pozh vs42.png


Switzerland

Officer grades
Rank epaulettes Fw-oberst.svg Fw-oberstleutnant.svg Fw-major.svg Fw-hauptmann.svg Fw-oberleutnant.svg Fw-leutnant.svg
Rank nameGermanOberstOberstleutnantMajorHauptmannOberleutnantLeutnant
FrenchColonelLieutenant colonelMajorCapitainePremier lieutenantLieutenant
ItalianColonnelloTenente colonnelloMaggioreCapitanoPrimo tenenteTenente
RomanshColonelLitinent colonelMaiorChapitaniPrimlitenantLitenet
Other grades
Rank epaulettes Fw-adjuntantunteroffizier.svg Fw-feldweibel.svg Fw-fourier.svg Fw-wachtmeister.svg Fw-korporal.svg Fw-gefreiter.svg FwCHsoldat2.jpg Fw-soldat.svg
Rank nameGermanAdjutant UnteroffizierFeldweibelFourierWachtmeisterKorporalGefreiterSoldatRekrut / Aspirant
FrenchAdjudant sous-officierSergent-majorFourrierSergentCaporalAppointéSoldatRecrue / Aspirant
ItalianAiutante sottufficialeSergente maggioreFuriereSergenteCaporaleAppuntatoSoldatoRecluta / Aspirante
RomanshAdjutant sutuffizierPrimsergentFurierSergentCaporalAppuntàSchuldàRecruit

Taiwan

Level1234567891011
Republic of China Fire Services Logo.svg TW-Firefighter-Rank 01.svg TW-Firefighter-Rank 02.svg TW-Firefighter-Rank 03.svg TW-Firefighter-Rank 04.svg TW-Firefighter-Rank 05.svg TW-Firefighter-Rank 06.svg TW-Firefighter-Rank 07.svg TW-Firefighter-Rank 08.svg TW-Firefighter-Rank 09.svg TW-Firefighter-Rank 10.svg TW-Firefighter-Rank 11.svg
Director generalDeputy
director general
*
Fire chief of
metropolitan city
Level 3 positionsLevel 4 positionsLevel 5 positionsLevel 6 positionsLevel 7 positionsLevel 8 positionsTeam leaderTeam memberBasic level

Tunisia

Tunisian firefighter's ranks are the same as the army, police and national guard.

Turkey

Head of DepartmentDivisional ManagersStation ManagersCrew Managers
Itfaiye Daire Baskani rutbesi.svg Itfaiye Muduru rutbesi.svg Itfaiye Sube Muduru rutbesi.svg Itfaiye Birim Amiri rutbesi.svg Itfaiye Amiri rutbesi.svg Itfaiye Cavusu rutbesi.svg
Daire Başkanı
Chief Fire Officer
Müdür
Assistant Chief
Fire Officer
Şube Müdürü
Divisional Officer
Birim Amiri
Station Officer
Amir
Sub-Officer
Çavuş
Leading
Firefighter
Source: [22]

United Kingdom, Crown dependencies, British Overseas Territories

Contemporary

Other fire service title Chief fire officer Deputy chief fire officerAssistant chief fire officerArea managerGroup managerStation managerWatch managerCrew managerFirefighter
London titleCommissionerDeputy commissionerAssistant commissionerDeputy assistant commissionerGroup commander
(borough commander)
Station commanderStation officerSub-officerLeading firefighterFirefighter
Scottish titleChief OfficerDeputy Chief OfficerAssistant Chief OfficerDeputy Assistant Chief OfficerArea CommanderGroup CommanderStation CommanderWatch CommanderCrew CommanderFirefighter
Isle of Man titleChief fire officerDeputy chief fire officerDivisional officerAssistant divisional officerStation officerSub officerLeading firefighterFirefighter
Gibraltar titleChief fire officerDeputy chief fire officerDivisional officerStation officerSub officerLeading firefighterFirefighter
Insignia London Fire Brigade - Commissioner rank insignia.svg London Fire Brigade - Deputy Commissioner rank insignia.svg London Fire Brigade - Assistant Commissioner rank insignia.svg Scottish FRS - Deputy Assistant Chief Officer.png London Fire Brigade - Deputy Assistant Commissioner rank insignia.svg London Fire Brigade - Group Commander rank insignia.svg London Fire Brigade - Station Commander rank insignia.svg London Fire Brigade - Station Officer rank insignia.svg London Fire Brigade - Sub-Officer rank insignia.svg London Fire Brigade - Leading Firefighter rank insignia.svg London Fire Brigade - Firefighter rank insignia.svg

National Fire Service 1941–1948

RankChief Regional Fire OfficerFire Force CommanderAssistant Fire Force Commander
Regional Woman Fire Officer
Divisional Officer
Area Officer
Column Officer
Assistant Area Officer
Senior Company Officer
Group Officer
Company Officer
Assistant Group Officer
Section Leader
Senior Leading Firewoman
Leading Fireman
Leading Firewoman
Fireman
Firewoman
Insignia Epaulette of NFS Chief Regional Fire Officer.png Epaulette of NFS Fire Force Commander.png Epaulette of NFS Assistant Fire Force Commander.png Epaulette of NFS Divisional Officer.png Epaulette of NFS Column Officer.png Epaulette of NFS Senior Company Officer.png Epaulette of NFS Company Officer.png Epaulette of NFS Section Leader.png Epaulette of NFS Leading Fireman.png Epaulette of NFS Fireman.png

United States

An American firefighter with a lieutenant's helmet FF Helmet.JPG
An American firefighter with a lieutenant's helmet

This ranking system is close to universal across all regions. There may be jurisdictions that do not utilize this rank structure, though they are rare.

In the United States, helmet colors often denote a fire fighter's rank or position. Generally, white helmets denote chief officers, (battalion chiefs, division chiefs, etc.), and red helmets denote company officers, (captains, lieutenants). While not universal, there are other commonalities, such as black for non-ranked firefighters, blue for EMS, and green for probationary firefighter.

There are some region specifics for helmet colors, though they have little to do with rank. For example, in San Francisco the SFFD paint their helmets based on a color system that denotes the apparatus they are assigned to.

Officer ranks are most commonly denoted by the number of speaking trumpets - a reference to a megaphone-like device used in the early days of the fire service, although currently and incorrectly called "bugles". , or by striping. Ranks proceed from one (lieutenant) to five (fire chief) trumpets.

The ranks of Deputy and Assistant Chief may differ based on region: one area may have the Assistant Chief as higher rank than Deputy, while another jurisdiction would be the opposite - Deputy out-ranking Assistant.

RankInsignia
FirefighterNo rank insignia
Engineer/apparatus operator/driver operatorNo rank insignia
Lieutenant
FIRE BUGLES - 1 (SILVER).png
Captain
FIRE BUGLES - 2 (SILVER).svg

or
FIRE BUGLES - 2.4 (SILVER).png
Battalion Chief/District Chief
FIRE BUGLES - 2.4 (GOLD).png

or side by side
Division Chief/Assistant Chief/Deputy Chief
FIRE BUGLES - 3.1 (GOLD).png
Deputy Chief or Assistant Chief
FIRE BUGLES - 4.3 (GOLD).png
Fire Chief
FIRE BUGLES - 5.1 (GOLD).png

Typically, the captain is the ranking officer of a fire station, (which may include anywhere from one apparatus up to several apparatus), and the lieutenant is typically in charge of a single apparatus.

There are also both state (e.g. CalFire in California) and federal (e.g. U.S. Forest Service) rank structures. These align with the typical ranking of the rest of the North American fire service.

Some other U.S. fire departments such as the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) use military rank insignia (specifically sleeve insignia, though it is not an official part of the FDNY uniform code) in addition to the traditional bugles.

Vatican City

Chief officersOfficersSNCOsNCOsFirefightersStudents
Vigili del fuoco vaticano shield.JPG
Corps of Firefighters of the Vatican City State
1degdir F-pett.png Direttore pett.png Isp ant esp2012pett.png V Isp ant 2012pett.png VVFF1a SCV pett.png VVFF2a SCV pett.png
Primo Dirigente coordinatoreCapo squadra espertoCapo Squadra di prima classeCapo Squadra di seconda classeVigile del fuoco prima classeVigile del fuoco seconda classeAllievo vigile del fuoco

Venezuela

The firefighter units of the National Directorate for Civil Protection and Firefighting follow a rank system modeled more on the National Guard and the French Paris Fire Brigade. However, officer ranks follow US influence in the insignia.

General OfficersSuperior OfficersSubaltern Officers
Rank Primer General de BomberosGeneral de BomberosCoronel de BomberosTeniente Coronel de BomberosMayor de BomberosCapitán de BomberosPremier Teniente de BomberosTeniente de Bomberos
Rank insignia Noimage MC.png General de Bomberos.jpg Coronel de Bomberos.jpg Teniente Coronel de Bomberos.jpg Mayor de Bomberos.jpg Capitan de Bomberos.jpg Primer Teniente de Bomberos.jpg Teniente de Bomberos.jpg
EnglishMajor general firefighterBrigadier general firefighterColonel firefighterLieutenant colonel firefighterMajor firefighter
(Battalion chief)
Captain firefighterLieutenant firefighterSecond lieutenant firefighter
Sub-OfficersCorporalsTroops
Rank Sargento Mayor de BomberosSargento Primero de BomberosSargento Segundo de BomberosCabo Primero de BomberosCabo Segundo de BomberosDistinguido de BomberosRazo de Bomberos
Rank insignia Sargento Mayor.jpg Sargento Primero de Bomberos.jpg Sargento Segundo de Bomberos.jpg Cabo Primero de Bomberos.jpg Cabo Segundo de Bomberos.jpg Distinguido de Bomberos.jpg no insignia
EnglishSergeant major firefighterStaff sergeant firefighterSergeant firefighterCorporal firefighterLance corporal firefighterSenior firefighterFirefighter

References

  1. 1 2 "Our Workforce and Ranks" . Retrieved 7 March 2021.
  2. 1 2 "Manuel belge de régulation pompier" [Belgian manual for fire regulation](PDF). Directorate-General Civil Security (in French) (2.1 ed.). May 2020. p. 113. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
  3. "Distinktionsoversigt" [Distinction summary]. Danske Beredskaber (in Danish). Retrieved 6 November 2019.
  4. 1 2 3 "grades chez pômpîers BSPP." Affiliée au 7ème Groupement National des Anciens Sapeurs Pompiers de Paris GNASPP. 2025-03-25.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Sächsische Feuerwehrverordnung vom 21. Oktober 2005. Rechtsbereinigt mit Stand vom 31. August 2019.Retrieved 2025-09-06.
  6. 1 2 3 Funktionsbeschreibung und -Bewertung für den Feuerwehrtechischen Dienst. Vereinte Dienstleistungsgewerkschaft, 2019. Retrieved 2025-09-06
  7. 1 2 3 4 Sächsische Feuerwehrverordnung vom 21. Oktober 2005 (SächsGVBl. S. 291), die zuletzt durch Artikel 1 der Verordnung vom 19. Juni 2024 (SächsGVBl. S. 532) geändert worden ist. Anlage 1. Retrieved 2025-09-06.
  8. Kreisbrandmeister. Retrieved 2025-09-06.
  9. 1 2 Sächsische Feuerwehrverordnung vom 21. Oktober 2005 (SächsGVBl. S. 291), die zuletzt durch Artikel 1 der Verordnung vom 19. Juni 2024 (SächsGVBl. S. 532) geändert worden ist. Anlage 2. Retrieved 2025-09-06.
  10. "About Us – Tamil Nadu Fire & Rescue Services".
  11. "Fire authorities". gov.ie. 28 October 2021. Retrieved 15 May 2025.
  12. "Dublin Fire Brigade: Who We Are" (PDF). Dublin Fire Brigade. 2015. p. 5. Retrieved 11 October 2020.
  13. 1 2 3 4 5 "日本の消防組織の概要等" [Overview of Japan's Firefighting Organizations](PDF). Fire and Disaster Management Agency. Retrieved 2024-12-18.
  14. 1 2 "消防吏員服制基準" [Firefighter Uniform Standards]. Fire and Disaster Management Agency. Retrieved 2024-12-18.
  15. 1 2 "消防団員服制基準" [Fire Brigade Uniform Standards]. Fire and Disaster Management Agency. Retrieved 2024-12-18.
  16. 1 2 3 "Règlement grand-ducal du 18 septembre 2018 déterminant les grades fonctionnels, les tenues, insignes et attributs des personnels du Corps grand-ducal d'incendie et de secours" [Grand-Ducal Regulation of September 18, 2018 determining the functional ranks, uniforms, badges and attributes of the personnel of the Grand-Ducal Fire and Rescue Corps]. legilux.public.lu/ (in French). 21 September 2018. Retrieved 24 September 2018.
  17. 1 2 "Uniform rank markings". New Zealand Fire Service. Archived from the original on 23 February 2014. Retrieved 10 January 2015.
  18. "Presentación de las insignias del grade del CGBVP." Oficina de imagen institutional del CGVP. Retrieved 2025-04-17.
  19. 1 2 3 4 5 "Приложение N 2. Знаки различия сотрудников органов внутренних дел РФ, Государственной противопожарной службы Министерства РФ по делам гражданской обороны, чрезвычайным ситуациям и ликвидации последствий стихийных бедствий, учреждений и органов уголовно-исполнительной системы, имеющих специальные звания внутренней службы." ГАРАНТ. Retrieved 2025-04-18.
  20. 1 2 "Специальные звания сотрудников ФПС МЧС РФ." СТАВТО. Retrieved 2025-04-18.
  21. 1 2 3 "Ranks and drill commands". Central Manpower Base (CMPB). Retrieved 2021-11-27.
  22. "Belediye İtfaiye Yönetmeliği." Türkiye Resmi Gazetesi 18 December 2021. Retrieved 2025-04-18.